Shaikh Mohammed launches World Green Economy Organisation

Venture aims to promote cooperation between countries in the field of green economy

His Highness Shaikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, on Wednesday launched the World Green Economy Organisation, which will promote cooperation between countries in the field of green economy.

The launch came at the opening of the World Green Economy Summit (WGES) under the theme of ‘Driving Global Green Economy’, bringing together prominent officials such as Dr Thani bin Ahmed Al Zeyoudi, UAE Minister of Climate Change and Environment; Adnan Amin, director-general at the International Renewable Energy Agency; and Helen Clark, administrator of the United Nations Development Programme.

“We have adopted a series of strategies and policies and begun implementing them, all working towards raising awareness of the importance of green economy at all levels, in addition to capacity building and the encouragement of sustainable production and consumption,” Al Zeyoudi said during his opening remarks.

“The establishment of a green economy is a critical element to achieving the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals 2030 and the Paris Climate Agreement. Ensuring a coordinated international effort is key to facilitating this transition to a green economy on a global scale. We are confident that the World Green Economy Summit will enable this,” he added.

Saeeed Mohammed Al Tayer, vice-chairman of the Dubai Supreme Council of Energy in Dubai and managing director and CEO of the Dubai Electricity and Water Authority, said that two previous editions of WGES have made Dubai “even more determined in our dedication to enhancing the city’s position as the global capital of green economy.”

Among the other speakers on the opening day was former Nasa astronaut Donald Thomas.

“As one of the nearly 600 astronauts to have travelled to space in the past 55 years, I have a strong appreciation for how fragile planet Earth is,” he said. “There is only one Earth, and all of its inhabitants, regardless of country or continent, must all work together to take care of our planet and help insure its future survival.”

Among the topics to be discussed at the event are ways to mobilise sufficient global green capital, world energy game changers bringing about the solar revolution and public-private partnerships in the green economy sector.

“Our programme across the next two days will focus on our theme, aiming to support the ambitions and objectives of UAE Vision 2021 and to further the National Agenda towards sustainable development,” Al Tayer added. “Our efforts are also aligned with Dubai Plan 2021’s aims to achieve a healthy and sustainable, clean environment and with the Clean Energy Strategy 2050 to make Dubai a global hub for clean energy and green economy.”